Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Lance Kawas
An interview with screenwriter Lance Kawas regarding the Telluride Indie Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Whispered Insanity - A psychological thriller about a psychiatrist who manipulates his clients to commit crimes.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: I did enter it in several others and got nominated, but not 1st, 2nd or 3rd. It got 7th place (Finalist) in scriptrep.com, scored as a runner up at Angel City Film Festival, Finalist in Igottascript.com, and Produceme screenplay competition it was a semi finalist.
I chose Telluride because it was a random descision as the others. There are too many competitions to choose from.
A: All the above did well and I was satisfied.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Not all give feedback i'm afraid.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Absolutely. I still get contacted for other scripts.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I got a degree in banking and finance from the University of Michigan. But kept my dream alive writing scripts. After gaining 18 nominations from various screenplay competitions as the ones mentioned above, and writing 25 screenplays, I have since then optioned, sold, and been hired to write for a few production companies. They are independent though. Nothing studio yet.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I still live in Dearborn Michigan. If a studio gives me a big break then I'll consider moving to LA.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I am doing rewrites for the script I sold to a production company in LA. It is called Fractured Identity. I am also directing a 30 minute short, The Fortunate Man, to enter major festivals. I want to show my contacts that I can also direct.
I am also working on my 26th screenplay. The Jewel & The Assassin. I will be pitching it to production companies in LA. It's Pulp Fiction meets Kiss of the Dragon. In the end it's all about finding the right producer who believes in you completely.
Posted Saturday, December 13, 2003
